Lawmakers review role of Tennessee Textbook Commission

Parents say some textbooks used in school are biased

Nov. 6, 2013

Written by

Lucas L. Johnson II

Associated Press

Parents claiming that some textbooks being used in state schools are biased say they’re open to a stronger public review process, which state education officials acknowledge is needed to improve the current process for choosing books.

Several parents spoke Tuesday during a hearing of the Senate Education Committee that is reviewing the role of the Tennessee Textbook Commission, which recommends its selection of books to the State Board of Education. Local school systems then choose which textbooks to adopt from the official state textbook list.

Earlier this year, parents in Williamson County raised concerns about a question in a world geography textbook that asked students to consider whether a suicide bomber attacking civilians in a cafe in Israel was terrorism or retaliation for military actions against Palestinians.

Critics say the question is among passages that display bias.

Emily Barton, assistant commissioner of curriculum and instruction for the state Department of Education, said one remedy would be to allow more public input by instituting online reviews “so that all citizens can have equal access to reviewing these materials and sharing their comments and feedback.”

She also suggested making sure that publishers see the comments and have adequate time to make changes before the books are distributed.

“We came into this process very eager to work with the Legislature to strengthen this,” Barton said after the meeting. “We think that there are a number of ways that the process can be strengthened to produce better products.”

The textbook selection panel is comprised of 10 members, nine of whom are appointed by the governor. Some of the parents said they’d like to see more parental representation on the panel, particularly since it was parents like those in Williamson County that raised the questions initially.

“They have a vested interest,” said Michelle Farnham, one of a number of parents who attended the meeting. “My daughter will be in public schools at some point and I want to make sure they (books) are up to standard.”

However, parent Julie West questioned the need for a textbook commission. She said local education officials should be able to make their own selections. Under current state guidelines, school districts have the option of selecting books that aren’t on the list provided by the commission.

“Well, if locals are free to choose, then what purpose does the textbook commission serve other than to waste our money,” West said.

Some lawmakers stopped short of doing away with the commission, but rather suggested that it be restructured.

“I think what will happen now is that we will look at what other states are doing and take the best practices and see if we can reconstitute our State Textbook Commission so that it works better,” said Sen. Dolores Gresham, a Somerville Republican and chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee.

She said the committee will submit a report to the full Senate when the next session begins in January.